Effects of Including Sprints in One Weekly Low-Intensity Training Session During the Transition Period of Elite Cyclists

Almquist, Nicki Winfield; Løvlien, Ine; Byrkjedal, Per Thomas; Spencer, Matthew D.; Kristoffersen, Morten; Skovereng, Knut; Sandbakk, Øyvind; Rønnestad, Bent R.

doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.01000

Cited by 12 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 43 publications

(65 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The blood lactate profile test has previously been described ( Almquist et al, 2020 ) and consisted of 5-min stages with incremental load (50 W). When the participants reached a blood lactate of 3 mmol·L −1 , the load increases were reduced to 25 W. The blood lactate profile was terminated when blood lactate exceeded 4 mmol·L −1 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

No Differences Between 12 Weeks of Block- vs. Traditional-Periodized Training in Performance Adaptations in Trained Cyclists

et al. 2022

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 12 weeks load-matched block periodization (BP, n = 14), using weekly concentration of high- (HIT), moderate- (MIT), and low- (LIT) intensity training, with traditional periodization (TP, n = 16) using a weekly, cyclic progressive increase in training load of HIT-, MIT-, and LIT-sessions in trained cyclists (peak oxygen uptake: 58 ± 8 ml·kg−1·min−1). Red blood cell volume increased 10 ± 16% (p = 0.029) more in BP compared to TP, while capillaries around type I fibers increased 20 ± 12% (p = 0.002) more in TP compared to BP from Pre to Post12. No other group differences were found in time-trial (TT) performances or muscular-, or hematological adaptations. However, both groups improved 5 and 40-min TT power by 9 ± 9% (p < 0.001) and 8 ± 9% (p < 0.001), maximal aerobic power (Wmax) and power output (PO) at 4 mmol·L−1 blood lactate (W4mmol), by 6 ± 7 (p = 0.001) and 10 ± 12% (p = 0.001), and gross efficiency (GE) in a semi-fatigued state by 0.5 ± 1.1%-points (p = 0.026). In contrast, GE in fresh state and VO2peak were unaltered in both groups. The muscle protein content of β-hydroxyacyl (HAD) increased by 55 ± 58% in TP only, while both TP and BP increased the content of cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV (COXIV) by 72 ± 34%. Muscle enzyme activities of citrate synthase (CS) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) were unaltered. TP increased capillary-to-fiber ratio and capillary around fiber (CAF) type I by 36 ± 15% (p < 0.001) and 17 ± 8% (p = 0.025), respectively, while BP increased capillary density (CD) by 28 ± 24% (p = 0.048) from Pre to Post12. The present study shows no difference in performance between BP and “best practice”-TP of endurance training intensities using a cyclic, progressively increasing training load in trained cyclists. However, hematological and muscle capillary adaptations may differ.

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

No Differences Between 12 Weeks of Block- vs. Traditional-Periodized Training in Performance Adaptations in Trained Cyclists

et al. 2022

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The responses to the 3-week transition period in a larger sample of athletes is reported elsewhere. 21 Specific data from our sample is provided in Supplementary Table 1. Participants Twenty-one elite male cyclists volunteered for this study.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Inclusion of Sprints in Low-Intensity Sessions During the Transition Period of Elite Cyclists Improves Endurance Performance 6 Weeks Into the Subsequent Preparatory Period

Taylor¹,

Almquist²,

Rønnestad³

et al. 2021

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose: To investigate the effects of including repeated sprints in a weekly low-intensity (LIT) session during a 3-week transition period on cycling performance 6 weeks into the subsequent preparatory period (PREP) in elite cyclists. Methods: Eleven elite male cyclists (age = 22.0 [3.8] y, body mass = 73.0 [5.8] kg, height = 186 [7] cm, maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max] = 5469 [384] mL·min−1) reduced their training load by 64% and performed only LIT sessions (CON, n = 6) or included 3 sets of 3 × 30-second maximal sprints in a weekly LIT session (SPR, n = 5) during a 3-week transition period. There was no difference in the reduction in training load during the transition period between groups. Physiological and performance measures were compared between the end of the competitive period and 6 weeks into the PREP. Results: SPR demonstrated a 7.3% (7.2%) improvement in mean power output during a 20-minute all-out test at PREP, which was greater than CON (−1.3% [4.6%]) (P = .048). SPR had a corresponding 7.0% (3.6%) improvement in average VO2 during the 20-minute all-out test, which was larger than the 0.7% (6.0%) change in CON (P = .042). No change in VO2max, gross efficiency, or power output at blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol·L−1 from competitive period to PREP occurred in either group. Conclusion: Including sprints in a weekly LIT session during the transition period of elite cyclists provided a performance advantage 6 weeks into the subsequent PREP, which coincided with a higher performance VO2.

show abstract

“…The participants performed a blood lactate profile test followed by an incremental test to exhaustion as described elsewhere (Almquist et al, 2020 ). Briefly, the participants cycled for 5 min at 175 W, followed by 50-W increments every 5 min until a blood lactate concentration ([BLa − ]) of 3 mmol·L −1 , after which increments were 25 W. The test was terminated at a [BLa − ] of 4 mmol·L −1 or higher.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Of practical interest is also the small decrease in anaerobic power between sprints in elite cyclists, indicating that elite cyclists are able to attack several times during a race without risking a substantial decrease in sprintability later on. Inclusion of sprints during habitual LITsessions shows rapid improvements in the repeated ability to produce anaerobic power and thereby enhances sprintability in elite cyclists (Almquist et al, 2020(Almquist et al, , 2021Taylor et al, 2021). This improved ability may be important to optimize for tactical reasons, and coaches should therefore consider tracking cyclists' individual, repeated sprint-ability during the season.…”

Section: Practical Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The Aerobic and Anaerobic Contribution During Repeated 30-s Sprints in Elite Cyclists

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although the ability to sprint repeatedly is crucial in road cycling races, the changes in aerobic and anaerobic power when sprinting during prolonged cycling has not been investigated in competitive elite cyclists. Here, we used the gross efficiency (GE)-method to investigate: (1) the absolute and relative aerobic and anaerobic contributions during 3 × 30-s sprints included each hour during a 3-h low-intensity training (LIT)-session by 12 cyclists, and (2) how the energetic contribution during 4 × 30-s sprints is affected by a 14-d high-volume training camp with (SPR, n = 9) or without (CON, n = 9) inclusion of sprints in LIT-sessions. The aerobic power was calculated based on GE determined before, after sprints, or the average of the two, while the anaerobic power was calculated by subtracting the aerobic power from the total power output. When repeating 30-s sprints, the mean power output decreased with each sprint (p < 0.001, ES:0.6–1.1), with the majority being attributed to a decrease in mean anaerobic power (first vs. second sprint: −36 ± 15 W, p < 0.001, ES:0.7, first vs. third sprint: −58 ± 16 W, p < 0.001, ES:1.0). Aerobic power only decreased during the third sprint (first vs. third sprint: −17 ± 5 W, p < 0.001, ES:0.7, second vs. third sprint: 16 ± 5 W, p < 0.001, ES:0.8). Mean power output was largely maintained between sets (first set: 786 ± 30 W vs. second set: 783 ± 30 W, p = 0.917, ES:0.1, vs. third set: 771 ± 30 W, p = 0.070, ES:0.3). After a 14-d high-volume training camp, mean power output during the 4 × 30-s sprints increased on average 25 ± 14 W in SPR (p < 0.001, ES:0.2), which was 29 ± 20 W more than CON (p = 0.008, ES: 0.3). In SPR, mean anaerobic power and mean aerobic power increased by 15 ± 13 W (p = 0.026, ES:0.2) and by 9 ± 6 W (p = 0.004, ES:0.2), respectively, while both were unaltered in CON. In conclusion, moderate decreases in power within sets of repeated 30-s sprints are primarily due to a decrease in anaerobic power and to a lesser extent in aerobic power. However, the repeated sprint-ability (multiple sets) and corresponding energetic contribution are maintained during prolonged cycling in elite cyclists. Including a small number of sprints in LIT-sessions during a 14-d training camp improves sprint-ability mainly through improved anaerobic power.

show abstract

Effects of Including Sprints in One Weekly Low-Intensity Training Session During the Transition Period of Elite Cyclists

Cited by 12 publications

References 43 publications

No Differences Between 12 Weeks of Block- vs. Traditional-Periodized Training in Performance Adaptations in Trained Cyclists

No Differences Between 12 Weeks of Block- vs. Traditional-Periodized Training in Performance Adaptations in Trained Cyclists

The Inclusion of Sprints in Low-Intensity Sessions During the Transition Period of Elite Cyclists Improves Endurance Performance 6 Weeks Into the Subsequent Preparatory Period

The Aerobic and Anaerobic Contribution During Repeated 30-s Sprints in Elite Cyclists

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About